Now that I’m running Qik on my iphone, I’ll turn on the camera every now and then so you can watch what happens:

Kumuola Foundation presents Waikiki Revival
Nã Kumu O Ke Ola (The Sources of Life)
A Hawaiian Cultural Festival
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Waikiki International Marketplace
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The Trader Vic’s Courtyard in the International Market Place will come alive as the day’s schedule will create a living and interactive experience for island residents and visitors alike moving from the courtyard, to the Kumuola Hale Ku`ai , store just upstairs, and Kumuola Hãlau learning center, also just above the courtyard.

Kumuola will feature NãKumu – Master Artisans and Practitioners of Life, as well as, the Trees and Plants that give us Life. With ongoing Hawaiian Music Kanikapila, Hula, Hana No’eau , Arts and Crafts demonstrations, Hawaiian food booths/local foods, Education about Hawaiian organizations that practice Hawaiian culture. Master Artisans and Practitioners of the Hawaiian culture with their apprentices, will showcase the many Hawaiian values and life lessons of our people in unity with all who come – all to demonstrate a living value of Lokahi A Me Ke Aloha; working together with Aloha. We anticipate a turnout of 3,000 – 5,000 people, malihini a me na kama`aina – keiki to kupuna, children to elders.

These are great times for the ‘ukulele. With Jake leading the way the instrument is gaining popularity accross the globe. Of course everyone out there knows about his playing for the queen but now Ima surprise announcement, Jake has aided in the design af a new soprano size ‘ukulele by Takamine guitars. Wow! The specs sound great including the rosewood fingerboard and mahogany instrument. The only thing I am curious about is the 14 fret neck which in my opinion would subtract from it’s already smaller sound considering it’s size. Although I love the fact that this instrument is going global, I do wish he somehow included a local ‘ukulele maker to further bring recognition to the Hawai‘i ‘ukulele community.

Congratulations Jake! Keep up the good work and keep making us proud.

Link: article from tiki talk

This Tuesday night, 12/08/09, Mailani will be performing at Chai’s island bistro at the aloha tower marketplace. Please join us from 7-9pm for some great music and food. Bring thi coupon with you for deep savings!

As anyone who is a student of 4 strings knows, the metronome is a necessity when it comes to practicing. I have encouraged many if not all of you to spend approximately $20 for a decent metronome. Well if you own an iPhone, a great metronome would cost you a mere fraction of the amount!

I’ve tried a bunch of metronomes built for the iPhone but rather than discuss the weak points of the others I would prefer to talk about the positives of the one I found to be the best. Tempo by Frozen Ape is a metronome that would probably cost you over $100 as a stand alone. So how much will you find it for in the app store at the time o this writing? $1.00 is all you pay for this feature rich time keeper.

To me, a great metronome doesn’t need complex rhythms but rather it needs a flexible placement of accents along with multiple subdivision properties. This app offers 5 subdivision options as well as a very easy touch system of adding accents.

It also gives you a tempo range from 20-250 bpm. And if you’re a stage guy you can even put together a set list with tempos for your shows. The sound can be turned off and an abnoxious red light can be programmed to flash if that is your desire.

Metronomes of the $20 price range won’t often give you the option for tap tempo but this one does and it will even give you the option to change the sound characteristics of the click.

In short this has become my go to metronome. It has even replaced my Dr. Beat.

Just wanted to make a little announcement letting you all know that Mailani will be performing at the infamous Aku Bone Lounge every Monday night for the remainder of the month of September.  Driving down Pensacola street on the way to Ala Moana I’m sure you’ve seen their well known fish bone sign. Aku Bone Lounge is known for their delicious menu items at affordable prices along with great Hawaiian music every night.  It’s become the Hot Spot to see top Hawaiian music acts.  On Mondays, the entertainment begins at 8 and runs through to 10pm.  FYI this month will be your last opportunity to see Funkmastah Frank Carillo play bass with Mailani as he and his wife will be moving to Kaua’i next month.  They will be missed.

As Mailani has released a well publicized Hawaiian music album earlier this year, we have long waited for the opportunity to perform in such a place.  Please come down and join us if you have the chance.  If you’re wondering what to eat, there’s never a bad to for Moi and the steamed moi at Aku Bone is fantastic!

Their address is:

Aku Bone Lounge & Grill
1201 Kona Street
Honolulu, HI 96814
808.589.2020

I must say, it’s never easy to predict what will happen throughout the year and this year was no exception. Mailani and I have been working hard thusfar to get her music out there. What we didn’t expect was the schedule that comes along with the Mayhem.

Both Mailani and I have worked in the industry before but never have we had the opportunity to work with such a well oiled Machine such as the Mountain Apple Company. Working is one thing but with their guidance we have learned how to effectively work.

If you have yet to come to one of mailani’s gigs, please do stop by one of these days. She has turned her gigs into a show of the highest caliber. With stage musicians such as Seann Carroll, Shawn Ishimoto, Frank Carillo and of course Jon Porlas we can honestly say that the music has stepped up.

Please be sure to check out mailani’s gig schedule and join us if you have the chance.

I know I’m late with this entry and at the same time I’m well aware that I haven’t posted anything in awhile. So why now? Well I actually feel as though this is something worth posting.
I’ve been proud of the work I’ve done in the past as a producer and engineer, but this project simply called Mailani is something that I can say that yes I’m proud of but also very passionate of.

Mailani and I have planned this project for a few years now. Our intention was and continues to be to bridge the gap of multiple generations by introducing what I believe to be a new generation of Hawaiian music. Mailani, always the risk taker, wanted give of herself as a musician, songwriter, performer and as a passionate Hawaiian woman. She delivers.

This album, as thought out as it was, still oozes of personality. I still remember our first meeting with Jon Demello and Leah Bernstein when I told them that I wanted to bottle her personality and show the world what’s great about her. Well, I can humbly say that I believe this album does just that.

If you haven’t heard the album yet, go check it out. Head over to mountain apple companyand take a listen to 2 of her songs, check out the beautiful photos available for viewing. Mountain Apple has helped us realize our goal with graphics that have done more than compliment my favorite singers brand new music. Also for Mailani’s schedule updates that’s the website to continuously visit.

Thank you for your continued visits to Doctortrey.com.

Please be sure to stop by the Four Strings Ukulele Studio website. If you’re interested in Ukulele lessons or discussion in general, it’s a great site to be a part of.

You won’t often see Dr. Trey on video, but here’s Christmas wishes to you and yours.